Best Safe South American Country to learn Spanish (school, to live)

[7035683216]

Hello,

I am interesting in practicing my Spanish for two or three months and want to live with a host family.

Which country would you recommend? I also love to Salsa dance as well.

I don't care if other U.S. Americans are in the country since I want to hang out with locals.

I am a black U.S. citizen that can greet people in Spanish.

[Hasdrubal]

I am afraid it will be dificult for you to travel there, but Cuba is pretty safe. You can wander at night with nothing to fear.

On the other hand, it depends where you're planning to go. If you are wealthy enough, you'll be pretty safe in Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, etc.

[lndigo]

Hmm, maybe Chile?

[LilyLaLa]

Originally Posted by Hasdrubal

If you are wealthy enough, you'll be pretty safe in Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, etc.

Don't Brazilians speak Portuguese?

I once had a friend from LaPaz, Bolivia; she loved it and never spoke of any dangers. Surely if you kept to the 'touristy' areas you'd be safe enough...perhaps a savvy travel agent could be some help here?

Great way to learn a language!
Have fun!

[7035683216]

That is the thing, I won't stay in the touristy area. I will look for a host family or a language school, and stick to places where most people do not speak English.

In the touristy area, many people want to practice their English. Not to mention, I probably can't afford to live as a tourist for long.

[Bily Lovec]

I can second Bolivia.
la paz would be hard for you to get acclimated to, its 12,500 above sea level :-0

Santa Cruz, BO on the other hand, would be a fantastic place for you. great city, Ive spent months there over the years and never felt uncomfortable there walking the streets, day or night.

cuba would also be worth considering.

Brasil speaks portuguese, but has a lot of black influence in certain areas, like Rio due to freed slaves. Brasil is also the only latin country, I would not consider "3rd world"

[KARL_MARX]

Mexico or Chile

[7035683216]

Thanks, California_is_superior. I am considering both countries.

Right now, I am looking into 7 weeks in Santiago, Chile. 7 weeks in Buenos Aires, Argentina; and then two weeks in Mexico.

No matter where I spend the first 12 weeks, I will probably spend 2 weeks in Mexico city working on my accent. Here in California, I would like Mexicans approve of my Spanish. I just don't want to stay there my entire trip.

[lndigo]

Hmm, Buenos Aires has a distinct dialect, but I don't think it'll pose much (if any) of a problem. Just as a side note, I've heard that Colombian Spanish is the "purest" form of Spanish, comparable to the Midwestern form of English. Hmm, I wish you the best of luck.

[Hasdrubal]

actually, the Spanish spoken in Latin America is somehow purer than that spoken in Spain, in the sense it's closer to the classical form of the XVI century.